[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 151 (Monday, November 1, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H11150-H11151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FEMA AND CIVIL DEFENSE MONUMENT ACT
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 348) to authorize the construction of a monument to honor
those who have served the Nation's civil defense and emergency
management programs.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 348
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AUTHORITY.
(a) Grant of Authority.--The United States National Civil
Defense Monument Commission (in this Act referred to as the
``Commission''), a private nonprofit organization organized
under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, is authorized to
construct a Monument to honor those who have served the
Nation's civil defense and emergency management programs.
(b) Expiration.--The authority granted by this section
shall expire 7 years after the date of the enactment of this
Act, unless before the expiration of such 7-year period--
(1) the approvals required by sections 2(a) and (b) have
been obtained; and
(2) the construction of the Monument has begun.
SEC. 2. SITE AND DESIGN.
(a) Site.--Subject to the approval of the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Commission may
select the site upon which the Monument will be constructed.
Such site shall be on Federal land controlled by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency at Emmitsburg, Maryland.
(b) Design.--Subject to the approval of the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Commission may
develop the design of the Monument.
SEC. 3. CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
The costs of constructing the Monument shall be paid out of
contributions to the Commission.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Utah (Mr. Hansen) and the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Underwood) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen).
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise in support of H.R. 348, introduced by the gentleman from
Maryland
[[Page H11151]]
(Mr. Bartlett). The gentleman from Maryland worked hard on this bill
which would help recognize those people who have served in this
country's civil defense. Specifically, H.R. 348 would authorize the
United States Civil Defense Monument Commission to construct a monument
to honor those who have served in the Nation's civil defense and
emergency management programs. This monument will be constructed on
Federal land located in Emmitsburg, Maryland and administered by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency. The site and design of this
monument will be subject to the approval of the Director of FEMA. All
of the costs for the construction of the monument will be paid by the
Commission.
Mr. Speaker, this bill has bipartisan support. I urge my colleagues
to support H.R. 348.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
(Mr. UNDERWOOD asked and was given permission to revise and extend
his remarks.)
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, the legislation, H.R. 348, introduced by
the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett) authorizes a private, not-
for-profit entity, the United States National Civil Defense Monument
Commission, to construct a monument honoring those who have served in
our Nation's civil defense and emergency management programs. Mr.
Speaker, the civil servants this monument would honor are often
overlooked until disasters such as Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis remind
us all of the important role played by these dedicated people. A
monument providing a more lasting recognition is clearly appropriate.
It is important to note that this monument would be funded through
contributions to the Commission and built on land owned by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Commission,
subject to the approval of the Director of FEMA, would be authorized to
select the exact location and design of the monument.
As a general matter, we should consider each new proposal to
construct a monument on Federal land very carefully, given the limited
space available for further such constructions in areas such as the
National Mall. In this case, however, the site of the FEMA Center in
Maryland seems appropriate and the involvement of the FEMA director in
approving the exact site and design will ensure that this proposed
monument provides the men and women who have served in our national
civil defense and emergency management programs the recognition they
well deserve.
I would like to add that those of us who come from areas like Guam
which experience natural disasters on a regular basis would also
enthusiastically support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to
support H.R. 348.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Bartlett), the author of this legislation.
Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the original
sponsor of H.R. 348, the National Civil Defense/Emergency Management
Act of 1999. This is a straightforward, nonpartisan piece of
legislation which will authorize the placement of a monument to honor
those individuals, paid and volunteers alike, who have served our
Nation in our most trying times, when disaster strikes.
Mr. Speaker, as we speak, FEMA employees and volunteers are working
around the clock to help the victims of Hurricane Floyd recover from
widespread wind damage, beach erosion, and, most notably, flooding.
FEMA teams are working tirelessly to deliver food, shelter, clothing
and medical assistance to thousands of families up and down the East
Coast. While this is the most recent disaster to strike the U.S., it
surely will not be the last. It is our hope that this monument will be
a permanent reminder to those who come to our rescue that we appreciate
their service and dedication to duty.
The monument itself is a gift from the private, nonprofit National
Civil Defense Monument Commission. I would like to commend the members
of this commission, especially their Chairman, Alex Atzert, for their
efforts to raise the necessary funds for this monument, which comes at
no cost to taxpayers.
Mr. Speaker, as set forth in this legislation, the design and site
selection of the monument must be approved by the FEMA Director,
currently James Witt, who has given this monument his blessing. I am
proud to say that the monument will be placed on the grounds of the
FEMA training facility in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in the Sixth
Congressional District which I have the honor to represent.
Mr. Speaker, by passing H.R. 348, we can demonstrate our appreciation
for those who have served our country at FEMA and Civil Defense.
{time} 1415
This small token of appreciation will help ensure that future
generations recognize the hard work and dedication of former employees
and volunteers who look favorably on this worthy endeavor.
Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 348, and I yield back the balance
of my time.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers on this issue,
and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Petri). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from Utah (Mr. Hansen) that the House suspend
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 348.
The question was taken.
Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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